Staff writer
Peabody City Administrator Shane Marler told city council members Monday that complaints about the tree stumps downtown had increased.
“I think it is time to pursue the original plan that Darren Pickens proposed last winter,” he said. “He got a bid for about $700 to grind down the stumps and replace the broken and shifting concrete slabs. My recommendation would be to get the work done. The public is tired of seeing the stumps wrapped in caution tape.”
The council approved the expenditure with a provision to add trees to the downtown streetscape if funds become available in the future.
In other business:
- Council members passed ordinance 2013-610 amending the process of notifying residents of mowing violations on their property. The city will no longer need to use certified mail to notify residents of mowing violations and the notice will give the resident 10 days from the date the letter is mailed to abate the nuisance. After 10 days, the city will mow the property and bill the resident for the work.
- Budget meetings will begin with the council finance committee by the end of June followed in July by budget meetings with the entire council.
- Marler and Police Chief Bruce Burke will review city ordinances. They hope to increase the fees the city receives from local residents who incur charges at the county jail.
- A permit to drill a private well was approved for Chad and Kris Dameron at 603 N. Sycamore St.
- Kansas Department of Health and Environment approved the city’s compliance with open burn pit regulations after an annual inspection May 22.
The next meeting of Peabody City Council will be at 7 p.m. June 24.